Leon Goretzka. A future Germany captain. The best since Basti. Oh, and the hottest Bosman in the world market today...

Yeah, they're throwing everything at Alexis Sanchez. The bank. The kitchen sink... What is it? €9m just to put pen to paper on a PSG contract? Manchester City dangling similar incentives to keep the Arsenal attacker in England? Alexis (if in the mood) would be a transformative signing. No doubt. But Goretzka, at least for those inside German football, is a franchise player. One to build not only a team around. Indeed, not even a club around. At 22. And with his ability. The Schalke midfielder can be a lynchpin for a club dynasty.

Dramatic? Over the top? Of course! But that's not our words. Inside the German game - and they're not exactly known for their hyperbole, the Germans - they're convinced Goretzka could be anything.

André Breitenreiter, the Hannover coach, worked with Goretzka at S04 and is convinced.

"I am certain Leon will be the next captain of the German national team," he declared. "Leon has been growing into his role over the last year.

"He has developed enormously since I was there."

Another of Goretzka's mentors, Peter Neururer, like Breitenreiter, has no doubt about the young midfielder's destiny.

Neururer coached Goretzka at VfL Bochum and says: "Leon Goretzka is definitely one of the best young players in the world. For his position, he has all the same qualities as Bastian Schweinsteiger.

"He is an outstanding personality who can write football history."

With his contract running down, those inside Schalke are becoming increasingly resigned to losing Goretzka in 2018. Christian Heidel, S04's sporting director, has set the Germany international one of his infamous deadlines. But the die appears already cast.

"The latest we will wait will be the winter break," claims Heidel. "A decision will by then be made. The matter will be resolved."

Over the summer, there was optimism inside the Veltins-Arena. Enquiries were made - Liverpool and Manchester City had approached - but Schalke held firm. There was a genuine belief that Goretzka could be persuaded to sign new terms.

But ironically, since the transfer window shut, the interest has only increased - just as Goretzka's form has progressed. Liverpool and City are still in the frame, but now Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona are also in touch. And inevitably, Bayern Munich have made their interest known to both club and player.

The opportunity to sign a box-to-box midfielder, at 22, and with Goretzka's potential and class was always going to be attractive. The prospect of landing such a talent for nothing makes him almost irresistible.

Schalke icon and World Cup winner Olaf Thon summed up the feeling of S04 fans just this week: "As far as staying in Schalke is concerned, I am far from optimistic."

Even talk of S04 smashing their wage ceiling leaves Thon unconvinced.

"The fact that the sum is actually so high, I personally do not believe, but money will not be the decisive criterion for Leon anyway," he adds.

"At 22, the sporting perspective will be much more important to him."

That "sum" is a club record €10m-a-year. A clear €6m-a-year more than current high earners Yevhen Konoplyanka and Franco di Santo. Schalke never proposed such a deal to Leroy Sane, now of Manchester City, nor PSG's Julian Draxler. Clearly they see something more in Goretzka.

"There are two hearts in my chest," says Neururer. "As a Schalke member I must say 'Leon, stay as long as you can in Schalke'. He can become the absolute figurehead. He is not concerned with purely financial matters.

"But of course he has to play internationally."

And if it's not to be Bayern, then the Premier League is likely to be his next destination. A goalscoring, box-to-box midfielder. Standing at 1.89m tall. As comfortable in attack as in defence. And with a good motor. Is it any wonder England's biggest are bombarding Heidel's phone?

"Leon is an extremely intelligent boy who knows exactly what he has to do and when," adds Neururer. "Leon is intelligent, intellectual and totally down-to-earth.

"A blessing for every coach."

Or gaffer, as they're known in the Premier League...